Fair Enough!
Fair Enough!
I got my fill of the NC State Fair last week; it took just two hours, shortly before the gates flooded with fair goers. I had forgotten I could go in to eat before it opened, so I rode over for some fun fair food.
Corn on the cob is my craving, in spite of the fact I can make it myself. Something still draws me to the vendor’s version. Most of my friends flock to the funnel cakes, but I seek out the salt.
I passed on the caramel apple this year, in favor of fried cheese, but I couldn’t resist a frosty green snow cone on this amazing autumn day! What a blast from the past that was, and not at all surprising that it still tastes the same as it did as a kid.
I enjoy exploring this event in advance, at a leisurely pace, before the crowds converge. Though some of my favorite exhibits were inaccessible, I appreciate the ease of navigating and option of negotiating.
I perused the prizes, realizing they are rarely worthy of the price of playing the games.
I offered to test the scale and let the weight guesser practice on me. I got the best prize ever when he underestimated my weight by 10 pounds according to his scale, 20 according to mine! He admitted it was his first day on the job, and his colleague quickly added insult to injury by reporting that the scale had not been calibrated. Well burst my bubble, will you!? I like what they said anyway, even though I knew better. I thanked them for the fun and made my way back up the midway where I realized my favorite ride was mysteriously missing!
I still remember the rock and roll roaring from The Himalaya, and its single circular path, slinging you across the seat, suddenly up close and personal with whomever you happened to be riding with. Those really were ‘the days, my friend.’ As kids, we anxiously anticipated the excitement of the fair, saving our allowance in preparation for the annual adventure.
We were especially eager to attend without parents, and I realize now they appreciated that autonomy as well. Mom didn’t care for the fair, and did what she could to avoid it, including sending me there with my brother as soon as we were old enough!
For years I wanted to climb the rope ladder, honk that horn and win a stuffed animal twice my size.
It looked so easy, I just knew I could do it, but my mother continued to convince me I couldn’t. Year after year she refused to let me ‘waste my money’ on such an impossible task. My brother didn’t mind, and he let me prove mom right on my first and only try!
For me, the true indicator that fall is in full swing is the annual Autumn with Topsail festival on the island. A much simpler street fair, though it draws quite the crowd and casual conversation comes easily among neighbors, visitors and vendors alike.
I met a different set of friends there each day and enjoyed making new ones along the way.
I shared my mound of fresh cut fries with a new acquaintance who reciprocated by buying us both a beer. I ran into a college roommate at the raffle, and saw someone from home I haven’t seen in decades so we made a date to reconnect.
Fall is full of fairs and festivals and there is always a harvest of hometown fun. I.t’s interesting, I can get my fill of the fair in less than two hours, but when it comes to Autumn with Topsail, I just can’t get enough! Fair enough!
